The total gross budget allocation for the Defence and Army Pension Votes in 2017 is over €921m. This allocation provides for the pay and allowances of the Defence Forces and civil servants and civilian employees in the Defence Sector, ongoing standing and operational costs of the Defence Forces and also facilitates investment in essential equipment and infrastructure. It also provides for the payment of pension entitlements to former members of the Defence Forces as well as funding for Civil Defence and a grant towards the running costs of the Irish Red Cross.
While at the end of June overall gross expenditure was slightly under profile, projections are that the Estimate Provision for 2017 will be fully expended by year-end. My Department will continue to keep expenditure trends under review and provide monthly expenditure reports to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.